Storm Drain Programs

“Why is there a Marker on Our Storm Drains?”

The Storm drain inlets in your neighborhood have been marked with a special marker to remind everyone that what goes down their inlet eventually ends up in the New River. 

One of the biggest myths about stormwater is that it goes to our waste water treatment facility and is treated.  All stormwater goes from the impervious surfaces into a storm drainage system and into local ditches, creeks, streams and ultimately the New River. 

This is important because every time it rains, water washes over our streets, driveways and yards picking up pollutants along the way.  Motor oil from cars, yard clippings, pet waste, litter, lawn chemicals including fertilizer are among some of the pollutants that get picked up. 

All of this eventually washes into our storm drains which goes into the New River.


 

The Message 

We want your help to spread the message that there is no treatmentsystem connected to storm drains,they go directly into the waterway.They may go to a stream nearby that you enjoy,or right into the NewRiver. Sometimes people think the storm drain can be used like a draininside their home and they dump things down there they should not.Whatever is put there,drains into the New River.Our New RiverOnce the New River was very polluted,but actions have been takento help clean it up. More help is needed,but we need everyone tohelp prevent pollution where steps have been taken to clean.How Can You Help?Volunteers helped to mark the storm drain inlets in your neighbor-hood. They got involved because they care. You can help by taking afew steps of your own:

• Properly dispose of Waste such as motor oil.  Don’t put it downthe storm drain. For information call our Sanitation Division at 910.938.5338.

• Use fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides sparinglyand followthe manufacturer’s instructions. Do not apply before an expected drain event.

• Keep yard waste,trash and dirt off the street and out of thegutters.  Don’t let it wash into the streams where it will clog theflow. It could even cause flooding!

• Clean up after your pets.Don’t let runoff from pet waste get intothe streams.

• Wash your car at a car wash,or at least wash it on the grass.Don’t wash it on the driveway where the wash water runs into the street.

• Spread the word about pollution and what you can do to stop it.

Want More Information,or want to get involved?

See the City of Jacksonville website at www.ci.jacksonville.nc.us  or call Habitat Protection at 910.938.5273